March 28th-April 18th

PreK Press

March  28th - April 18th

Bridges:  We are now fully involved in our study of bridges.  The children are becoming familiar with many different kinds of bridges and learning to identify the 3 main types - beam, arch and suspension. We are encouraging the children to be observant as they travel around to see how many bridges they can find, and if they can identify what type they are.  Feel free to email photos of any fun and interesting bridges you and your child see in the weeks ahead.  As we continue to collaborate with the STEAM teachers, the PreKers are enjoying their work on several bridge related activities and are expanding the associated vocabulary as they learn words such as deck, span, pier, foundation, cable, tower, anchor, caisson, and support.  Also, be sure to ask them about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.     

Reading Buddy Talents:  We were so excited to begin PreK talents, thrilled with how many PreKers actually volunteered to go first, and amazed at how well the first several children did sharing their special talents with their 4th grade friends.  Tucker showed us some of his shark teeth and dinosaur fossils as he shared his knowledge of both.  Dylan displayed part of her Beanie Boo collection and talked about each one.  Emmy wowed us with her ability to put a jigsaw puzzle together.  Sahil demonstrated his successful building skills by completing 2 lego vehicles.   Henry spoke about his interest in both gardening and collecting bugs, while showing us some of his gardening tools and his bug vacuum.  Tash shared some of the shark teeth he collected while he was in Florida.  Izzy performed a great magic trick using 3 cups and water that actually disappeared.  We look forward to many more talents in the next several weeks!

TCS Auction Fundraiser:  Shipshape and Ready for the Future.  As you are already aware, the TCS annual auction/fundraiser is coming up this Friday, April 21st at Mystic Seaport.  This event is always a lot of fun and certainly a worthy cause.  We hope you will be able to attend.  Come out and enjoy a great evening!  The PreKers have all contributed to a wonderful piece of artwork that will be available for purchase at the auction, and we think that you might want it to hang in your home.  We also know you are all contributing to the Class Auction Basket and we thank you for that.  

IDEA Day:  This Friday, April 21st is IDEA Day at TCS. (Interpreting Diversity Education Through Action).  As you read previously in an email from Mr. Fixx,  IDEA Day was developed to help Country School students view the world differently through a better understanding of the nature and development of diversity on a personal, national, and global scale. This year our IDEA Day focus is "Telling stories . . . sharing stories," a theme which will help us celebrate the range of humanity and how we are all similar and different in so many interesting ways.  In PreK, we will focus on the theme of Diversity and "Telling our stories"  with personal history, discussion, and activities.  We hope to engage in conversation about our families and where we come from.  To that end, we ask that you please take a few minutes and talk (on a PreK level) to your children about the following questions:

• What is your family's heritage?
• Does your family have some special traditions, customs, celebrations,  activities, or food ?

Attached to this newsletter you will find a separate sheet of paper with these 2 questions.   Directions are provided.  Please return the papers by Friday.  

This day will be a powerful way to develop global awareness in our students and celebrate the cultural diversity of The Country School, all while building our connections with each other.

PreK Concert:  We are busy preparing for our PreK Concert which is scheduled for Friday, April 28th at 8:30 AM.  It will last about ½ hour and will take place in the gym.  Parents, siblings and extended family are all invited to attend.  Please make it a point to be here for this very special occasion.  You won’t be disappointed!!

Important Dates to Remember:

  IDEA Day - Friday, April 21st

  TCS Auction/Fundraiser - Friday, April 21st

  PreK Concert - Friday, April 28th

  Grandparents & Special Friends Day - Friday, May 12th

  Field Trip To Grass Island - Thursday, May 18th (more information to follow)

  MUSIC TOGETHER Family Sing - Wednesday, May 24th

*****************************************************

PARENTS:  Kindly take a few minutes and talk with your PreKer about these 2 questions.  Then jot down a few BRIEF notes that we can use as prompts and a springboard for further conversation during class.  

1. What is your family’s heritage?

2. Does your family have some special traditions, customs, celebrations, activities or foods?

   

Thanks so much for your help!

PLEASE RETURN THIS TO SCHOOL THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 21st

(or before)